Halloween Treats
What Halloween 2009 Has In Store
By Jonathan W. Crowell
“Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night.” – Steve Almond
Crunchy leaves, football season, grilling, the smell of burning embers in the chilled air – and Halloween activities galore. From haunted houses (all claiming to be the scariest) to Halloween costume parades for the kids, and even some non-Halloween-themed activities, see what’s headed our way this October.
The Necropolis Haunted House
1207 Rogers St.
(near College Avenue, next to Walt’s Bike Shop)
www.enterthenecropolis.com
Come get a taste of fear, old-school style, and learn the story of the Bishop Factory Butcher. Necropolis is not recommended for children under 12, pregnant women, or persons with heart, back, seizure or breathing problems.
Open every Thursday through Saturday night in October (8–11 p.m. Thursdays and 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays)
Tickets available online or at the door: $13, or add $7 to head to the front of the line
Fearfest Haunted House
Midway
I-70 West, Fayette Exit 121
(keep north to bottom of the hill)
www.fearfesthauntedhouse.com
Don’t miss mid-Missouri’s largest haunted attraction, sitting on 46 acres. Fearfest and its four attractions (the haunted house, Sarah’s Legend, Reaper’s Revenge Hayride, Slashmasters Asylum) are located 3 miles west of Columbia. Free parking.
Beginning Sept. 24, open every Thursday through Sunday night until Sunday, Nov. 1 (8–10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and 8 p.m.–midnight Fridays and Saturdays)
Tickets available online or at the door: $23 (all four attractions), plus $7 to head to the front of the line
Backwoods Terror: 2009
10025 Old Union Church Road
(off Highway 124 between Hallsville and Centralia)
www.backwoodsterror.webs.com
This is an intense haunt and children under the age of 12 must be with an adult. If the little ones can’t make it through, staffers will take the family on a flashlight tour or children can sit by the campfire or play games while the adults finish out the terror.
Open every Friday and Saturday night, including Halloween night, from 8 p.m. until midnight
Admission: $12 per person; food and drinks offered for sale
The Edge of Hell and The Beast Haunted Houses
1300 W. 12th St., and 1401 W. 13th St.
Kansas City
Info Line: 816-842-0320
www.edgeofhell.com
Don’t miss the 35th anniversary of “Kansas City’s Granddaddy of all Haunted Houses”! The experience includes dozens of fabricated phantasms and optical illusions. But that 24-foot reticulated python that looks like he could squeeze the evil out of the devil, himself? That creature is real.
Open every Thursday through Sunday night, including Halloween night, through Nov. 1, from 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Admission: $20 per person, per attraction; $33 per person for both
Hallowed Grounds Haunted Scream Park
9892 Audrain Road 435
Benton City
573-581-2384
www.hauntedproductions.com
Located near Mexico, this attraction covers more than 13 acres with terrifying trails, a haunted house and a huge cemetery scene. Look for Murder Theater Mystery Nights coming soon.
Open Fridays and Saturdays beginning Sept. 18 –– open every night through Halloween beginning Oct. 18 through Halloween night, 7–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 p.m.–1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Pricing and contest information coming soon
Spirits, Shadows & Secrets of Arrow Rock
6–9 p.m., Oct. 24
Arrow Rock
www.arrowrockarts.org
Spend a Saturday night exploring the mystical side of the historic village of Arrow Rock in a tasteful, family-friendly event. Wander through the village (or hitch a ride on the hay wagon) to visit your choice of attractions that include visits with the “spirits” of some of Arrow Rock’s most famous citizens; true (and almost true) tales woven by professional storytellers; presentations by real-life ghost hunters; s’mores around the campfire; an old-fashioned school party with carnival games; guided tours of the Sappington Cemetery, and more. Enhance your adventure with dinner at the historic (and haunted!) J. Huston Tavern. To accommodate the demand, there will be three dinner seatings offered at the 2009 event: 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Event-only tickets: $10 for adults/$7.50 for children under 12; supper plus event tickets: $25 for adults, $15 for children and must be purchased by Oct. 14
Halloween Trick or Treat Parade
6:30 p.m., Oct. 29
Columbia Mall
The line starts at the Gazebo – all children in costume receive a trick-or-treat bag with goodies and get to participate in a Thursday-night costume parade through the mall, collecting treats from the stores.
Tiger Night of Fun
5–7 p.m. Oct. 31
Hearnes Center
573-874-7460
Don’t miss the fun at the University of Missouri’s Hearnes Center for the annual Tiger Night of Fun, Columbia’s safe alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. Free admission, activities, games and treats for children of all ages!
Denial 3 Illusion Show
7:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Hazel Kinder’s Lighthouse Theater
I-70 East, Millersburg Exit 137
www.lighthousetheater.com
Enjoy a fun night of tricks and treats with Denial 3, a professional illusionist troupe from St. Louis. Music, prizes and giveaways are on tap for this magical evening.
Admission: $5
Un-Halloween Concert
7–8:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Missouri United Methodist Church
204 S. Ninth St.
Featuring the 9th Street Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Alex Innecco, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (B minor, “Pathétique” Op. 74) opens this concert, which is a pleasant alternative for those who wish to spend Halloween night away from trick-or-treating.
Tickets: $10–$15